Look what rolled in [Archive] - Weld Talk Message Boards

urch55

06-01-2010, 08:43 PM

Electrical fire in an ice cream trailer, this needs to be ready to re-open in just over a month.

Is the trailer worth a total gut out and rebuild.? Compared to a new one. Looks like it will be some megabucks for sure. The ice cream business must be pretty good.:p What do you think the total cost would be to rebuild it.?

Jim-Tx

06-01-2010, 09:56 PM

I'm with Urch. Looks like a total loss from the pics. I would think that all of that stuff would have to be reconditioned to new condition in order to get the proper permits to sell food.

KGIOR

06-01-2010, 11:44 PM

About half of it will be taken down to the studs and the rest to the plywood.To replace the ceiling, some wall studs & plywood, rear cabinets (upper & lower), all wallboard, electrical, counters, windows,door, drink unit, and misc plumbing will probably be about $20,000.00...maybe a little less. This doesn't include the other equipment replacement. With time and replacement cost it looks like it will make sense to rebuild.

If this was our trailer we would total it, but we have quite a few that we could convert for less then the remodel.

At this point my biggest concern is the smell that is probably absorbed into the wood, when it is gutted if the smell can't be sealed up that may kill the rebuild.

Bob the Welder

06-02-2010, 03:46 PM

I'm with the others, just doesn't seem to make sense to gut a fire damaged trailer and put the extra work involved into rebuilding and still have to worry about the smell lingering afterward. There are outfits that can get rid of the smell but they are definitely not cheap. Ice cream business must be smoking.:rolleyes:

Ohio Mike

06-02-2010, 05:39 PM

Pretty ugly. The soft serve machine alone will be about $12,000. Hope they have good insurance.

KGIOR

06-02-2010, 06:38 PM

Believe it or not he had no insurance, apparently he missed the renewal last year and it expired without his knowledge after over 10 years of coverage.

In this industry it can take many years to get a trailer into good locations in major west coast fairs. If he doesn't make his locations at the next fairs he may lose them and never recover, therefore he really has no option other then to rebuild. Due to the permitting process time doesn't allow him to even bring in a new trailer into the counties that he is already licensed in. I know that sounds crazy but that is the way it is in some areas of California.

I will try to post some photos of the progress if people are interested.

Ken

CharleyL

06-05-2010, 08:39 PM

Yes, please post progress pictures.

There are companies that specialize in fire cleanups. Service Master is one of them, but there are others. Your local fire company can likely help you find a reliable company, if you choose not to do the cleanup part yourself. It's a specialized business and they have many tricks to get the job done well and quickly, but it isn't cheap.

If you choose to do the tear out and cleanup yourself you will need to coat any remaining wood with a sealer. Several sprayed on coats of polyurethane would work. The metal can all be power washed with a detergent and then rinsed well, but be sure that the detergent isn't one that attacks aluminum. After it's all clean, dry, and you have sprayed sealer on any remaining wood and it's dry you can start the rebuild process.

Charley
"A retired fire marshal"

KGIOR

06-11-2010, 12:18 AM

Most of the fire damage is now removed. After I took these pictures today we repaired the ceiling joists that the fire department cut. The electrician will be in on sat.

aametalmaster

06-13-2010, 09:47 PM

I see a few of those types of ice cream trailers here in Ohio at the big fairs. Their cones are like 5 bucks each so they do make some major money...Bob

Rocky D

06-14-2010, 01:40 AM

Fascinating rebuild...post more pictures!

KGIOR

06-14-2010, 07:13 PM

Hey Rocky,

I see that you are in San Diego, do you ever go to the SD fair (it's going on now).

Ken

KGIOR

06-16-2010, 10:46 PM

The joists are all repaired, all minimal black areas have been sanded and painted with a primer/sealer, electrical done (120 & trailer lights),swamp cooler removed and the opening was prepped for a new one, plywood sheeting installed. The frp will go up next and then it will be ready for cabinets and counter tops.

Ken

Broccoli1

06-18-2010, 01:43 PM

They ever determine what caused the Electrical Fire?

KGIOR

06-18-2010, 06:14 PM

I was told that it was a chocolate warmer (a warming blanket that wraps around a small pot that ice cream bars are dipped into), probably costs no more then $50. Hard to believe that they are left on over night, he won't be doing that any more (expensive lesson). I believe that it was noticed by a security guard at around 7:00 am, he went to get a fire extinguisher and by the time he returned the entire trailer was engulfed in flames.

Ken

KGIOR

07-04-2010, 01:32 AM

Frp wall board is up, lower cabinets are being wrapped, counter tops going in, we installed the swamp cooler after I took these photos, final electrical is done,
new stainless trim installed for windows, the glass guys installed the window channels and will be back Tues with the glass. Since this is a welding forum I also included a photo of the only thing that was welded on this project, it is a refer shelf that had a broken leg that I ground out and welded then added two braces that should have been on it originally.

Thanks,
Ken

KGIOR

07-10-2010, 12:00 AM

Finished it up today with the exception of one cabinet door that was left behind, it will be delivered and installed in the morning.

The owner is going to pick it up tomorrow late morning / mid day.

KGIOR

07-10-2010, 12:06 AM

More pics.

31424

31425

31426

31427

So lets hear it, tell me what you think...good, bad, or ugly.

urch55

07-10-2010, 09:32 AM

I have not seen the trailer before the fire but, I have a feeling it looks better now than it did before the fire. Your team did a great job. Looks better than my kitchen in the house.

KGIOR

07-10-2010, 03:27 PM

Thanks URCH55, we are pleased with how well it came out.The owner just left with the trailer and he seemed to be very happy as well. Said that he would pass the word along about us doing such a good job for him. Hope that this will bring some of the other concessionaires our way, we have been doing most of our own remodel work for a couple of years now but haven't had anyone bring anything in that required any major work such as this. I think if that we can break through then we may be able to develop an entirely new dimension for our company.

Ken

KGIOR

07-12-2010, 12:20 AM

Well since I'm not getting much feedback and this is a metal working forum I will add that I replaced all of the stainless trim around the window openings before the new glass was installed, new door and jamb that was trimmed with white aluminum, and all vents for equipment air circulation. I purchased a Metabo burnisher that I had asked about in another thread and used it to refinish two of the refer units that you see (the third one was destroyed internally therefore replaced)... as well as the main sink that was scorched from being in the hottest part of the fire, and the tilt up tops that the frp had melted on to. I also used it to refinish the stainless trim pieces that cap the ends of the counter tops. This piece of equipment made it possible for me to recondition surfaces in a very short period of time that I was having a hard time with using the other methods that I had used in the past.

Ken

SmokinPRanch

07-12-2010, 02:43 AM

Looks really nice...probably better than new. Might have found a real good niche market. I would guess they are mostly used in and around summer so might be some good winter work.

Now you've got a mobile business card.

Al

urch55

07-12-2010, 08:23 AM

Well since I'm not getting much feedback

Ken:
Maybe the reason being is that they seen the before and after pictures and you took their breath away and are speachless....;)

usmcpop

07-12-2010, 08:58 AM

Burned up hulk -----> Like new. What's to say? Great job.

Rocky D

07-12-2010, 03:19 PM

This definitely leaves one with a "WOW" feeling! Pure craftsmanship to the enth degree! A complete miracle! :eek: Just saying it's a good job, doesn't even come close to covering it!

KGIOR

07-12-2010, 11:29 PM

Thats more like it.

I'm pretty proud to post this project here considering that in the last few years I have learned a bunch of what I now know from reading this and two other forums that I review regularly. There are quite a lot of people that post here with a lifetime worth of experience and knowledge. For someone like me who has spent a relatively short period of time trying to learn a whole new field of work it has been an indispensable tool. Just reading your posts and seeing the work that many of you do has inspired me to look at things from a different perspective then I did before, giving me the ability to do things that people around us in our industry (especially other service providers) told me that we couldn't or didn't want to do.

So truly I say thanks to all of you who take your time to share your knowledge here with others that need a place to gain it from.:D:D:D

Thank you,
Ken

vicegrip

07-17-2010, 10:08 PM

vicegrip

07-17-2010, 10:14 PM

PLEASE someone hoste a few pics for KEN
!! Say four of the devastation and four of the glory.
I'd do it but this is a brand new PC
Wife hardly let's me near it.
}My pics{ is off limits to me till I complete another round of negotiations.
vg

Or show him how.
Visiters don't like attachments.
4,788 views ... what 50 to 150 so on the attached pics.
They want raw pics , might generate some BIZ for him.

urch55

07-17-2010, 10:45 PM

You can let the Hobart site host you pictures.. I did three just for you VG. and of course Ken..

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=31257&d=1275441565
http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=31420&d=1278737928
http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=31419&d=1278737909

KGIOR

07-18-2010, 06:24 PM

[QUOTE=
Visiters don't like attachments.
4,788 views ... what 50 to 150 so on the attached pics.
They want raw pics , might generate some BIZ for him.[/QUOTE]

I didn't realize that.

So if I load them on to a hosting site (I already have one) then do I just insert the url into the text?

urch55

07-18-2010, 06:52 PM

I didn't realize that.

So if I load them on to a hosting site (I already have one) then do I just insert the url into the text?

Click on the image icon at the top of the posting page. Fifth one from the right on the bottom row. And a box will appear and enter the url of your picture.

usmcpop

07-18-2010, 07:01 PM

I think they mean just post the pics here, so they will be here and not require someone to go to an external link.

Keeping with the welding theme, y'all saw how well the final job came out, right? Proper pre-heat is important (the "before" pics)! I'll probably do that before I remodel my kitchen. Or my wife will. :D:D

urch55

07-18-2010, 07:44 PM

I think they mean just post the pics here, so they will be here and not require someone to go to an external link.

Exactly Pops, That is what I described. That's what I do so the picture is in my post with out clicking on a link. Hmmmm were you talking to me.???

KGIOR

07-18-2010, 08:08 PM

Ok so here are some before and after.

As of 6/1/10

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf8e8f3bd1500000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf98fdd5cec00000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf879987c9e00000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf900421cac00000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

As of 7/10/10

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9c2d31c5c00000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9d6b89d0d00000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9bfceddd700000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf8ba64bdab00000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf95efc9d0d00000050O00MZNmrRs2Zg9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Thanks for looking.
Ken

usmcpop

07-18-2010, 08:41 PM

... Hmmmm were you talking to me.???

No, or I would have said "Sir". :D:D:D

The picture thing seems to confuse some folks. You can link to them on another site (so they may go away if that site goes away), or upload them here, or upload them here with an immediate display (not a thumbnail or link). I prefer to have the pics here and I thank Hobart for providing the storage and bandwidth for said pictures.

vicegrip

07-18-2010, 09:06 PM

vicegrip

07-18-2010, 09:12 PM

In all serious ness, viewers want pics !!
Right in the thread ,,,, right NOW.

I don't blame them.
I tryed tp help those FrenchRiverLand guys with there VBM mess on PMMB
and I had to keep wading thru their Rembrant hoste or PiCaasO
and fumble thru pics of Old Yeller.

Best is to host with the WeldTalk icon.
Cheers
vg

usmcpop

07-18-2010, 10:02 PM

Yeah, what ever happened to those FrenchRiverLand guys?

Rocky D

07-19-2010, 12:02 AM

I didn't realize that.

So if I load them on to a hosting site (I already have one) then do I just insert the url into the text?

Yup, that's how I do it, that way our pics aren't squeezed down, so's ya can't see 'em.

urch55

07-19-2010, 03:07 PM

Hey there Ken:
Looks like you found out how to post the pictures.
I think the trailer looks better now with the pictures in front of me.:p

urch55

07-19-2010, 04:00 PM

HEY Phil
I am glad to see you are spending money wisely.!!!

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=31449&d=1279573095

KGIOR

07-19-2010, 09:34 PM

Thanks URCH55, it took the moderator half a day to review the post and let it be displayed. Is that normal with the pictures in the post like that.

Ken

urch55

07-20-2010, 08:23 AM

Thanks URCH55, it took the moderator half a day to review the post and let it be displayed. Is that normal with the pictures in the post like that.

Ken

No not every time. It has happen to me once. I think some times there are key words the site don't know and the human eye ball has to approve of it. But I really don't know why they do that with some of the post.. When I asked why it happened to me I did not even get a reply.. Go figure :confused:
And one more thing, when it happen to me I did not post any pictures.

vicegrip

07-20-2010, 12:48 PM

Yeah, what ever happened to those FrenchRiverLand guys?

It seems that their OP is if anything a publicist.
Got thousands of hits on PMMB...........
After we kept him from botching that Niles rebuild with 1/4" dowels,
it was mostly "look at our dams every-one".

vg

vicegrip

07-20-2010, 12:55 PM

Thanks URCH55, it took the moderator half a day to review the post and let it be displayed. Is that normal with the pictures in the post like that.

Ken

My involvment here gets occaisional scrutiny,
I think HotFoot has said that too?

In my case I understand, what a professional (but Loud)
guy in WI, says might not be in their best interest.

My suggestion for your pics to "SEEN" and possibly
generate buisness, could be a trigger.
I view it as a helping hand for the independant ontrepenioueoir.
And surely wouldn't hurt sales of Hobart products.

But I'm not responsible for the forum's content.
And allthO' I enjoy HotFoot's exposaiais, art is art.
EyeBrows might go up.
Remember the mods on WeldTalk have other duties (I beleive)
and monitoring the forum likely isn't the top duty.

vg